Thank You, J.K. Rowling

The year was 1997. Little did the world know, they were about to be taken on a journey to a magical world; one that would continue to impact millions 20 years later. J.K. Rowling’s story of a boy, specifically the Boy Who Lived, has now influenced an entire generation and is still going strong.

Whether you’re a fan of the Harry Potter franchise or not, the cultural impact cannot go unnoticed. Not only do we have the seven original books, but eight movies in the HP film series, several video games, the stage production of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, other books based off the original series like The Tales of Beedle the Bard, new attractions such as The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios, the website Pottermore to continue to learn more about the wizarding world, and a spinoff prequel that has just begun its journey: Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.

With many people celebrating what J.K. Rowling has created for the world, we wanted to say thank you. Thank you for giving us a phenomenal story with an epic battle between good and evil. Thank you for transporting us to a new universe and taking us along for the journey. Thank you for giving all of us hope, and filling us with childlike wonder as we discover what real magic is.

In honor of the 20th anniversary, here are some ways that fans have said thank you.